Dear Editor,
Christian testimony is not validated by who we voted for or against.
Now that the election is over and the civility between the winners and losers is returning to its normal level of angst, I would like to comment on a cartoon that ran in the Tribune right before the election. The Opinion page cartoon had two people watching TV asking the question, “How do we know which candidate the super storm Sandy is warning us not to vote for?”
This question reminded me of a question asked in Joshua 5:13-14, “When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, ‘Are you friend or foe?’
‘Neither one,’ he replied. ‘I am the commander of the LORD’s army.’”
I happen to believe it’s time for people from both sides of our political debate to understand that God is not for one side or the other. Our Christian testimony is not validated by who we voted for or against.  God is calling the American public to Himself. When each person realizes this and begins to personally align with God our nation will begin to change.
In Amos 4:6-12a the Lord says to His prophet, “I brought hunger to every city and famine to every town. But still you wouldn’t return to me,” says the Lord.
“I kept the rain from falling when you needed it the most, ruining all your crops. I sent rain on one town but withheld it from another. Rain fell on one field, while another field withered away. People staggered from one town to another for a drink of water, but there was never enough. But still you wouldn’t return to me,” says the Lord.
“I struck your farms and vineyards with blight and mildew. Locusts devoured all your fig and olive trees. But still you wouldn’t return to me,” says the Lord.
“I sent plagues against you like the plagues I sent against Egypt long ago. I killed your young men in war and slaughtered all your horses. The stench of death filled the air! But still you wouldn’t return to me,” says the Lord.
“I destroyed some of your cities, as I destroyed  Sodom and Gomorrah. Those of you who survived were like half-burned sticks snatched from a fire. But still you wouldn’t return to me,” says the Lord.
“Therefore, I will bring upon you all these further disasters I have announced. Prepare to meet your God as he comes in judgment.
The storm, Sandy, should be an eye opener according to Scripture. It is a call to return to the Lord.
2 Chronicles 7:13-14 says, “At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or I might command locusts to devour your crops, or I might send plagues among you. Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.”
If we fail to return to the Lord, you can expect things to get worse, not better.
Pastor Thomas R. Swain
First Church of God
Great Bend